Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. An electrode plate aligned state inspection method using an electrode plate aligned state inspection system including an inspection unit imaging a stacking process, in which the cathode plate and the anode plate are alternately and sequentially stacked on a stack table, and the separator is interposed between the cathode plate and the anode plate to produce a secondary battery, and inspecting an aligned state of a cathode plate, an anode plate, and a separator, the electrode plate aligned state inspection method comprising: an imaging step of starting imaging in the inspection unit; a first separator stacking step of stacking one separator on the stack table; a first electrode plate stacking step of stacking one electrode plate selected from the cathode plate or the anode plate on the separator stacked in the first separator stacking step; a second separator stacking step of stacking the other separator on the cathode plate or the anode plate stacked in the first electrode plate stacking step; a second electrode plate stacking step of stacking the other electrode plate not selected in the first electrode plate stacking step on the other separator stacked in the second separator stacking step; an inspecting step of inspecting an aligned state of the cathode plate, the anode plate, and the separator by the inspection unit; and a determining step of determining whether or not the cathode plate, the anode plate, and the separator are aligned.
The invention relates to a method for inspecting the alignment of electrode plates and separators during the stacking process of secondary battery production. The method addresses the challenge of ensuring precise alignment of cathode plates, anode plates, and separators to prevent defects in battery performance. The system includes an inspection unit that captures images of the stacking process, where cathode and anode plates are alternately stacked with separators in between. The method begins by initiating imaging in the inspection unit. A first separator is placed on a stack table, followed by a first electrode plate (either cathode or anode) on top of the separator. A second separator is then stacked on the first electrode plate, and the second electrode plate (the opposite type from the first) is placed on the second separator. The inspection unit analyzes the alignment of the cathode, anode, and separator layers. The system determines whether the components are properly aligned, ensuring manufacturing quality. This method automates alignment verification, reducing errors and improving battery reliability.
2. The electrode plate aligned state inspection method of claim 1 , wherein in the inspecting step, a relative position between the separator and the cathode plate, the separator and the anode plate, or the cathode plate and the anode plate is inspected when the separator, the cathode plate, or the anode plate are stacked, and it is determined that a defect is present in the electrode plate aligned state in a case where the relative position is misaligned by a predetermined distance or more.
3. The electrode plate aligned state inspection method of claim 1 , wherein in the secondary battery, areas of the cathode plate, the anode plate, and the separator are different from each other.
This invention relates to a method for inspecting the alignment state of electrode plates in a secondary battery, particularly when the cathode plate, anode plate, and separator have different sizes. The method addresses the challenge of ensuring proper alignment of these components during battery assembly, which is critical for performance and safety. Misalignment can lead to short circuits, reduced capacity, or uneven aging. The inspection method involves capturing an image of the electrode stack, which includes the cathode plate, anode plate, and separator. The image is then analyzed to detect the edges of each component. By comparing the detected edges with predefined positional relationships, the method determines whether the components are correctly aligned. If any misalignment is detected, the system can flag the battery for further inspection or rejection. The method is particularly useful in automated battery manufacturing processes, where high-speed production requires precise quality control. By using image processing techniques, the method can quickly and accurately assess alignment without physical contact, reducing the risk of damage to the delicate electrode materials. The technique is adaptable to different battery designs, including those with varying sizes of cathode, anode, and separator layers. This ensures consistent quality across different battery configurations.
4. The electrode plate aligned state inspection method of claim 1 , wherein the first separator stacking step is performed in a case where it is determined that the cathode plate, the anode plate, and the separator are aligned in the determining step.
5. The electrode plate aligned state inspection method of claim 4 , further comprising a suspending step of suspending the stacking process in a case where it is determined that the cathode plate, the anode plate, and the separator are misaligned in the determining step.
6. The electrode plate aligned state inspection method of claim 2 , further comprising a measuring step of measuring a value of a misalignment distance between the separator and the cathode plate, the separator and the anode plate, or the cathode plate and the anode plate by the inspection unit, after the determining step, wherein the value measured in the measuring step is accumulated.
This invention relates to a method for inspecting the alignment state of electrode plates in a battery manufacturing process. The method addresses the problem of ensuring precise alignment between the separator, cathode plate, and anode plate to prevent short circuits or performance degradation in battery cells. Misalignment during assembly can lead to defects, reducing battery efficiency and safety. The method involves a determining step where an inspection unit checks if the separator, cathode plate, and anode plate are properly aligned. If misalignment is detected, the method proceeds to a measuring step where the inspection unit quantifies the misalignment distance between the separator and the cathode plate, the separator and the anode plate, or the cathode plate and the anode plate. The measured misalignment values are then accumulated for further analysis or quality control. This data can be used to monitor manufacturing consistency, identify recurring alignment issues, and improve production processes. The method ensures that only properly aligned electrode stacks are used in battery assembly, enhancing product reliability.
7. The electrode plate aligned state inspection method of claim 6 , further comprising a second determining step of comparing the value of the accumulated misalignment distance in the measuring step with a preset reference value, after the measuring step.
8. The electrode plate aligned state inspection method of claim 7 , wherein in the second determining step, the first separator stacking step is performed in a case where the value of the accumulated misalignment distance is lower than the preset reference value.
9. The electrode plate aligned state inspection method of claim 8 , further comprising a suspending step of suspending the stacking process in a case where, in the second determining step, the value of the accumulated misalignment distance is equal to or greater than the preset reference value.
Unknown
March 23, 2021
Browse 5M+ US patents with plain-English claim translations and AI-generated analysis.